Section 1-7-305 - Counting by counting judges(1) In precincts having counting judges, the receiving judges, at 8 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the counting judges request the ballot box, shall deliver to the counting judges the ballot box containing all ballots that have been cast up to that time, and the receiving judges shall then proceed to use the other ballot box furnished for voting. The receiving judges shall open, empty, and lock the alternate ballot box in the manner prescribed in section 1-7-301.(2) When the counting judges have counted the votes in a ballot box, they shall return the empty ballot box to the receiving judges and exchange it for the box containing ballots cast since taking possession of the first ballot box. The judges shall continue to exchange ballot boxes in the same manner during the day until the polls are closed and shall continue counting until all ballots have been counted.(3) When an exchange of ballot boxes is made as described in subsection (2) of this section, the receiving judges shall sign and furnish to the counting judges a statement showing the number of ballots that are to be found in each ballot box as indicated by the pollbooks. The counting judges shall then count ballots in the manner prescribed in section 1-7-307.(4) The governing body may provide a separate room or building for the counting judges but, when ballot boxes are moved from one room or building to another, they shall be under the constant observation of at least one of the counting judges.L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 741, § 9, effective 1/1/1993.This section is similar to former § 1-7-305 as it existed prior to 1992.
For the election judges opening, emptying, and then locking ballot boxes, see §§ 1-7-301 and 1-7-501 .